KOSPI Surges Past 8000, Sets New All-Time High

The KOSPI, a key benchmark for the stock market, has surpassed the 8000 mark, setting a new record high. According to the Korea Exchange on the 26th, the KOSPI closed at 8047.51, up 199.80 points (2.55%) from the previous trading day. The index opened higher at 8079.91 and surged to an intraday high of 8131.15, renewing its all-time record. The KOSDAQ index also closed at 1172.52, up 11.39 points (0.98%) from the previous trading day.

Institutions led the index's rise in the stock market, with a net purchase of 911.1 billion won. Retail investors sold a net 616.6 billion won, taking profits, while foreign investors sold a net 183.9 billion won.

In the Seoul foreign exchange market, the dollar-won exchange rate closed at 1504.3 won, down 12.9 won from the previous day. International oil prices also showed stability. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was priced at $91.97 per barrel, and Brent crude at $98.46 per barrel.

This trend is attributed to the calming of international oil prices and interest rates as expectations for diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran grew. The anticipation of US-Iran talks influenced the stabilization of oil prices and interest rates. Bond yields also entered a phase of stabilization, reviving investor appetite for riskier assets.

This upward momentum served as a positive signal not only for individual investors but also for corporate investment sentiment. Strong buying capital, which had been waiting during the holiday period, flowed into the market, particularly into large-cap stocks, acting as a powerful driver for the rally. Kang Jin-hyuk, a researcher at Shinhan Investment & Securities, analyzed that oil prices and interest rates stabilized due to expectations of US-Iran negotiations, and suppressed demand from the holidays flowed in. He added that foreign investors turned to net buyers for the first time in 13 days, showing broad strength in large-cap stocks.